Author Archives: rickbassett

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Understanding Ice Dams: A Guide for Our Residents

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With the recent heavy snowfall and prolonged, extreme cold across the entire state, many buildings are currently facing a common winter challenge: ice dams. We understand that seeing water stains or icicles can be concerning, and we want to assure you that we are monitoring the situation closely and have a plan in place.

What is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof, often compounded by gutters being full of ice and much snow still on the roof from the previous storms. This buildup prevents melting snow from draining off the roof as it should. When that water gets trapped, it can back up under the shingles, potentially causing a leak near a window or a stain on your ceiling.

Our Commitment to You

We are working diligently to manage these issues as they arise. However, because this is a significant regional event, please keep the following in mind:

  • Prioritizing Severe Cases: This is a busy time for specialized contractors. To ensure everyone’s safety, they are prioritizing repairs for the most severely impacted units first.

  • Patience is Appreciated: Because this is a statewide issue, response times from specialists may take several weeks. Please rest assured that your request is in our system and will be addressed.

  • Targeted Solutions: Removing snow and ice from every single roof is often unnecessary, extremely costly, and not appropriate for all units. We are focusing our resources where they are most needed to protect your home effectively.

What to Do If You Notice a Stain or Leak

If you see a ceiling stain or a slow drip, please do not panic. While it’s important to let us know, the presence of an ice dam or a ceiling stain is not considered an emergency. Here is how you can help us help you:

  1. Submit a Maintenance Request: Log in to the Property Meld portal, use the mobile app, or call 475-900-3100 ext 2.

  2. Attach Multiple Photos: If using the portal or app, including multiple clear photos of the inside area and the outside area is the best way to help our team assess the situation quickly and accurately.

We truly appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work through this winter season together.

 

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Extreme Cold Weather & Pipe Freeze Prevention

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Important Winter Notice – Extreme Cold Weather & Pipe Freeze Prevention

Due to extreme winter conditions and single-digit temperatures across the state, please review the following guidelines to help prevent frozen pipes, water loss, and heating issues. Taking these precautions is essential during severe cold weather.

Cold Weather Prevention Guidelines:

* Keep your heat ON at all times and maintain a consistent temperature of at least 60–65°F, even when away.

* Do not turn off heat or rely solely on space heaters as a primary heat source.

* Allow faucets to drip slightly, especially those on exterior walls.

* Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.

* Ensure all windows and exterior doors are fully closed and locked.

* Do not block heating vents or baseboards with furniture or belongings.

* Monitor your unit for reduced water flow, unusual pipe noises, or colder-than-normal rooms.

Reporting Issues:

Please report low or no heat, no water, suspected frozen pipes, or leaks immediately. by submitting a request through the MELD system ( http://www.bits.ws/service/ ) or contact the Service Department at 475-900-3100, option 2. After-hours hold times may be longer due to weather conditions.

Emergency Situations:

If you experience uncontrolled water flow or burst pipes and cannot reach management, shut off your unit’s emergency water valve if safe to do so and contact your local fire department. Your cooperation is essential during this extreme cold period. These preventive steps help protect your unit and the property as a whole.

Fire Safety Inspections – an important part of property management

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A tenant installed DIY light fixture

Property Managers wear many hats, but one of the most critical parts of the job is safeguarding the tenants’ well-being while protecting the owner’s real estate interests.

Being onsite for maintenance and repair issues allows property managers the opportunity to routinely check for obvious safety issues such as missing smoke or CO detectors, damaged or unsafe electrical fixtures, grills on decks or too close to a dwelling, inadequate lighting, blocked stairwells, or wiring and extension cords being used dangerously, as well as other risks.

The fire safety codes are loaded with many ever-changing rules and regulations, which are enforced very differently by inspectors, usually Fire Marshals or Deputy Fire Marshals, on a town-to-town and city-to-city basis. Some municipalities have regular inspection requirements, while others aren’t as regimented. Some municipalities follow the code to the letter, while others are less strict.

A notice of an inspection usually starts with a letter from a fire marshal to the property owner/investor. Then, the property owner typically delegates the inspection coordination to their property management company.

The property manager will usually conduct a preinspection of the property and arrange any needed repairs or corrections before the inspection by the fire marshal. If inspection day goes well, the property is deemed safe until the next inspection; if there are problems or issues, the fire marshal will often allow 30 or more days to remediate any deficiencies and require reinspection.

The process can be costly and time-consuming for the owners of buildings that are out of code compliance. Still, the ongoing costs are much less for properly maintained buildings after a building has been brought into code compliance.

Need help getting your rental property into code compliance? Contact us <click here>

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Suddenly Become an Accidental Landlord? We can help!

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An accidental landlord is an individual who becomes a landlord unintentionally, typically due to circumstances such as inheriting a property, being unable to sell a home, or needing to relocate for personal or professional reasons. Unlike individuals who intentionally invest in real estate for rental income, accidental landlords find themselves renting out property as a result of unforeseen situations, often without prior experience or planning in property management.

Bassett Property Management can assist Accidental Landlords in effectively managing their property through a range of services tailored to meet the specific needs of property owners who find themselves in this situation. Here are some ways in which a property management company like Bassett can be beneficial for Accidental Landlords:

Tenant Screening, Lease Agreement Management, Rent Collection, Maintenance and Repairs, Emergency Response, Legal Compliance, Marketing and Advertising, Financial Management, Eviction Management & Time and Stress Savings.

By providing these services, Bassett Property Management can help Accidental Landlords navigate the challenges of property ownership and ensure that their investment is well taken care of.

Click Here if you need help as an absentee landlord, and we will get back to you shortly.

Professional property management is often less costly than self-managing

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Professional property management can help real estate investors save money by maximizing rental income, minimizing expenses, and reducing the risk of costly legal issues.

  1. Reduced Vacancy Rates: A professional property management company can help keep vacancy rates low by ensuring that units are marketed effectively, and tenants are carefully screened. This means that units are less likely to sit vacant, reducing the amount of lost income for the investor.
  2. Efficient Maintenance and Repairs: A property management company can coordinate maintenance and repairs quickly and efficiently. This can help prevent minor issues from becoming larger, more costly problems. In addition, property managers often have relationships with contractors and vendors, allowing them to secure better pricing for maintenance and repair services.
  3. Better Tenant Screening: Tenant screening is critical to ensuring tenants pay rent on time and take care of the property. A property management company can screen tenants thoroughly, reducing the risk of tenant turnover, property damage, and eviction.
  4. Legal Compliance: Property management companies are well-versed in local, state, and federal laws that govern rental properties. They can help ensure that landlords are in compliance with all relevant regulations, reducing the risk of costly legal battles.
  5. Improved Rent Collection: A professional property management company can establish clear rent collection policies and procedures, making tenants more likely to pay on time. In addition, property managers can follow up on late payments and enforce lease terms, reducing the risk of lost income due to non-payment.